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Cougars' Brewer named to B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame

Former Prince George Cougar defenceman Eric Brewer was named Monday to the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame.
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Former Prince George Cougar defenceman Eric Brewer, shown in action against the Portland Winterhawks in this file photo, will be inducted this summer into the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame.

Former Prince George Cougar defenceman Eric Brewer was named Monday to the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame.

Brewer played three years for the Cougars from 1995-98 and used that as a springboard to a stellar 16-year career as an NHL defenceman with the New York Islanders, Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning, Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Known for his punishing, physical style, the six-four-four, 216-pound Brewer was captain of the Blues in three of his four seasons in St. Louis. He represented the Oilers at the 2003 NHL All-Star Game.

He helped Canada win Olympic gold in 2002 in Salt Lake City and was a three-time gold-medalist playing for his country at the world championship (2003, 2004, 2007) and also played in the 2001 world championship. He was a mainstay on the blueline as part of Team Canada’s gold-medal win at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.

In 1998, he represented the Cougars at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Helsinki.

A native of Vernon, Brewer grew up in Ashcroft and played minor hockey in Kamloops. He was picked him 81st overall by the Cougars in the 1994 bantam draft. He led Prince George to the third round of the WHL playoffs for the first time in 1996 and was drafted the following year fifth overall by the Islanders. In 168 WHL regular season games he collected 14 goals and 79 points and also had six goals and six assists in 26 playoff games.

Brewer retired in 2014. In his NHL career, which spanned 1,009 regular season games, he scored 77 goals and 194 assists for 271 points, and had 792 penalty minutes. In 34 playoff games he had three goals and 24 assists.

He was inducted into the B.C. Sports Hall Fame with his teammates from the 2002 Olympic team in 2003.

The 40-year-old Brewer, who makes his home in Vancouver, is chairman and part-owner of EDGEPRo Sports & Entertainment, the group which owns the Cougars.

The list of 2020 BCHHF inductees also includes former Vancouver Canucks defenceman Mattias Ohlund, NHL linesman Jay Sharrers and former Pacific Junior (B) Hockey League president Ray Stonehouse.

Two teams will also be inducted – the 2002 Kootenay ICE, who won the Memorial Cup as major junior national champions; and the 2012 Penticton Vees, who captured the RBC Cup and national junior A champions.Prince George native Michael Garteig was the Vees' starting goaltender that year, moving to Penticton after two seasons in the BCHL in Powell River. The 28-year-old Garteig is now playing pro hockey in Finland for Tappara Tampere.

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony at South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton is scheduled for Friday, July 24.